The Themes of Power and Ownership in the Tempest

The Themes of Power and Ownership in the Tempest

Ownership is a dominant and ever present theme in the Tempest; almost

every character in the play is involved with the theme of ownership in

the play. They are either the more dominant, or the one who is

dominated in the relationship. Ownership is present right from the

beginning of the play, as we see that Prospero creates a storm to

shipwreck Gonzalo and his men, this immediately shows us that Prospero

is a powerful character in the play, later when he is talking to

Miranda we find out what makes her father the Powerful man that he is.

Although the characters have become dislocated on the island there is

still a sense of dynastic power. There are no laws on the island, and

there is no government but the characters themselves create a level of

communal normality. The different sets of characters’ relationships

with each other play a significant part in the theme of ownership;

there are the characters that were shipwrecked such as, Sebastian,

Antonio, and Gonzalo. The characters that have been marooned on the

island for many years (Prospero and Miranda), and the characters that

have been on the island long before Prospero and Miranda were isolated

there like Ariel and Caliban. These set of characters hold onto their

alliances with the people they know best. It is soon apparent when

looking at the text which are the dominant, and powerful characters

and who are the weaker characters.

Act 1 scene 2 Prospero and Miranda

Shakespeare soon makes it clear to the audience that Prospero is the

most dominant character in the relationship between the magician and

Miranda. It is evident tha...

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...ty where this

can be reflected there is still a class system where this is enforced.

The characters are not disturbed in the slightest by what has happened

to them in the previous few hours, or what may happen to them in the

next few. Shakespeare shows us that, because of their arrogance they

believe they are still of the same significance on the island as back

on the main land of Europe. They may never see Italy again but this

does not cross the minds of the majority of islanders, and this is why

Prospero is able to use power and ownership with such a significant

effect in the Tempest, because he, as master and creator is able to

focus on manipulating the other characters to provide him with what he

wants. All the magicians’ requirements are met by the other characters

even though they are unaware of them doing so.